Principal / Associate Mechanical - Airport Project Experience

Job description

the employer in the Middle East are seeking a Principal / Associate Mechanical - Airport Project Experience to lead design and delivery of complex aviation and industrial buildings-aircraft maintenance hangars, corrosion control/paint shops, engine/APU workshops, and large-scale flight catering facilities. You’ll be the mechanical technical authority across HVAC and specialist process systems (compressed air, process cooling/heating, kitchen/cold-chain ventilation & refrigeration interfaces), driving concept-to-IFC outcomes that meet stringent safety, hygiene and performance standards. • Lead mechanical/HVAC design from feasibility and basis-of-design (BoD) through detailed design, tender and construction support for aviation facilities. • Own the environmental strategy for very large volumes (e.g., hangar bays): heating/cooling concepts, destratification, purge/exhaust modes, make-up air, and controls sequences-balancing energy, IAQ and safety. (UFC/ASHRAE/NFPA context). • Engineer specialist ventilation for hazardous operations: paint spray booths/rooms, fuel-cell maintenance/purge ventilation, welding/fume extraction, VOC control, and hazardous-area interfaces with electrical/controls. • Integrate process utilities common to MRO and workshops. • Shape catering facility HVAC and hygienic air zones: kitchen exhaust & makeup air (NFPA 96), pressure cascades, temperature/humidity control for clean prep/packing. • Deliver BIM-led coordination (Revit/Navisworks) across architecture, structures, process, fire protection, and controls; lead clash resolution and model QA. • Run calculations & simulations: loads, duct/pipe sizing, ventilation rates, smoke/fume capture, and (where needed) CFD to support the thermal comfort studies. • Author technical documents: BoD, design reports, specifications, sequences of operation, control narratives, FAT/SAT/commissioning plans. • Engage stakeholders-airlines/MROs, airport operators, food safety teams, and authorities-to secure approvals and smooth delivery. • Lead retrofit, refurbishment, and brownfield upgrade projects within operational airport environments-assessing existing systems, developing phased upgrade strategies, ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing operations, and integrating new systems with legacy infrastructure while addressing capacity, compliance, and energy performance improvements. Key systems & domains you’ll cover • Hangars & workshops: general and emergency exhaust, purge ventilation for fuel system work, floor-level capture where required, destratification/HVLS fans, door air management, the employer/air systems, PCA (pre-conditioned air) and GSE interfaces. • Catering facilities: high-duty kitchen exhaust & makeup air (hoods, MAUs, heat recovery), grease ducting, rooftop terminations, pressure zoning for hygiene, and interfaces to cold rooms/freezers and clean areas. • Experience in refurbishment projects, passenger terminal building Mechanical design (HVAC, Drainage systems) is preferred

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• Professional registration (e.g., CEng/PE) strongly preferred.
• 15+ years’ experience in building services (mechanical/HVAC), with significant aviation project delivery (Passenger terminal building, hangars, MRO shops, flight catering, or similar).
• Proven leadership as Lead/Principal Engineer on multi-disciplinary design projects and Prior delivery in live airport environments (airside/landside interfaces, works phasing) is preferred.
• Expertise writing BoDs, specifications, P&IDs, control sequences, etc.
• BIM fluency: Revit, Navisworks
• competence with calculations (e.g., IES-VE/HAP/eQuest),CFD exposure preferred.
• Client-facing communication and team leadership
• mentoring and QA/QC across multiple concurrent packages.
• Strong communication skills for effective client presentations, stakeholder workshops, and cross-functional coordination.
• Willingness to be based at Dammam Airport for the initial phase of the project (short-term assignment) and relocate to the main office upon project completion

Skills